No booze ban for Carney, say Sharks
Michael Chammas
October 20, 2011
CRONULLA won't impose a booze ban on Todd Carney but simply advise him to drink responsibly if he agrees to join the Sharks next season.
Chairman Damian Irvine yesterday revealed the club had no plans to include an alcohol ban in their proposed contract to the former Rooster.
The Sydney Roosters sacked Carney last month for breaching the club's no alcohol policy and, despite the 25-year-old's long and destructive history with a drinking problem, Cronulla are reluctant to impose similar restrictions on him.
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''When you ask people to make big promises and they get broken, you find yourself having issues,'' Irvine said. ''I like a drink, we all like a drink, I think drinking's a huge part of society … Todd hasn't really done a lot wrong this year from what I can see. We've all got to manage our drinking, and it's how you manage it. We'd expect Todd to manage his drinking like anyone in our squad.''
Cronulla remain in the box seat to secure Carney's services for next year, with his manager David Riolo yesterday indicating an announcement could be made as early as this weekend. Skipper Paul Gallen, who confirmed yesterday he would remain at the Sharks until the end of 2015, has put up his hand to mentor the troubled playmaker.
The pair spent more than a month together last year during Australia's Four Nations campaign, and Gallen believes he is capable of providing Carney with some much-needed direction.
''Twelve months ago, he was probably going to take Darren Lockyer's spot in the Test side,'' Gallen said. ''Things haven't gone to plan for him but I just think he deserves to play in the NRL, and I'd love to see him here. I think I can help him a little bit … I think that he probably has to understand that this will be his last chance.''
Carney has turned down several offers from French rugby and English Super League clubs, and is intent on staying in Australia to get his rugby league career back on track.
While the Sharks and Titans have publicly expressed their interest in Carney, Riolo claims two other NRL clubs remain in the hunt to snare the troubled playmaker.
''I met with Todd and his mum and his sister on Tuesday night, and we discussed, without looking at the commercial realities, where he could play,'' he said. ''[We looked at] where he could fit in and where he wants to be.''
Regardless of where he signs, NRL boss David Gallop still wants to meet Carney before registering his contract for next year.
It's extremely unlikely the NRL will interfere if Cronulla - or any club that snares Carney next year - decides against imposing a booze ban, with Gallop of the belief false promises shouldn't be made. Roosters boss Steve Noyce insists the club isn't upset Carney is likely to end up at a rival NRL team.
''Both parties agreed that Todd's future at the Roosters had come to an end,'' Noyce said. ''Wherever he ends up we wish him well.''
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